there are elements of truth in all great fiction

As all-consuming as a young girl's fancies were ... a woman's desires could be twice as dangerous.

He buried his hands in the rich velvet of her hair. “I thought I’d die for wanting you.

Princess,” he whispered against her ear. “My beautiful, beautiful princess. I want to spoil you. Pamper you. Indulge you.

You care enough to play hard to get.

You asked me once if I would still love you when your lips were puckered with age and your eyes were faded. I can assure you that I will still love you when I have only the strength (and the scant teeth) left to gum those puckered lips. I shall love you when your bones are sharp enough to pierce my fragile flesh. I shall love you when the light in my own eyes fades for good and yours is the last sweet face I see. Because I am and ever shall be.

His lips nuzzled her ear. “Whether you go or stay, I will love you until I die,” he whispered.